Respiratory illness worsens for Lakers’ Pau Gasol

In this file photo, Lakers Steve Blake, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard look to the floor after an official timeout against the Houston Rockets last season. Gasol has been fighting respiratory illness in recent weeks and is expected to sit out of Friday's game. (John McCoy/Staff Photographer)

With a frustrated look on his face, Lakers forward Pau Gasol stood outside of the team’s practice facility Tuesday talking on his cell phone and trying to process the latest setback of a disappointing season.

After a visit to an ear, nose and throat doctor showed his respiratory illness has gotten worse, Gasol is expected to sit out when the Lakers (13-16) play Friday against the Utah Jazz (8-23) at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers are listing Gasol’s recovery timetable as day-to-day to leave open the chance he could play against Utah should he heal. But Gasol sat out of Thursday’s practice and didn’t travel with the team on its flight Tuesday to Salt Lake City.

Gasol didn’t speak with reporters, but he has admitted the respiratory issues that caused him to miss last week’s game against Golden State negatively affected his energy level, breathing and aggressiveness.

Possible candidates to replace Gasol in the starting lineup include Jordan Hill, Chris Kaman or even rookie Ryan Kelly. Kaman started in Gasol’s place when he sat out of the Lakers’ loss to Golden State.

Building ground

Even if the Lakers gush about their positive attitude and strong work ethic, they can’t ignore reality. The Lakers remain 12th in the Western Conference, 3 1/2 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the eighth seed in the playoffs.

“We have to start getting back to .500 real quick,” head coach Mike D’Antoni said.

“I didn’t say we can,” he added, joking. “I said we have to.”

Even with long-term injuries to Kobe Bryant (fractured left knee), Steve Nash (nerve issues in back) and Steve Blake (hyper-extended right elbow), the Lakers have a good chance to do that. Their next four games are against opponents with a combined 30-88 record, beginning with a road game today against Utah and a homestand against Philadelphia (Sunday), Milwaukee (Tuesday) and Utah (Jan. 3).

“We try to win every game we play,” Lakers guard Jordan Farmar said. “We don’t ever go out there attempting to lose or saying we can let this one go tonight. So, that’s the goal. Every time we step on the floor, play to win and the standings, the stats and everything else will just reflect whatever happens.”

Increased role

Rookie forward Ryan Kelly experienced a “welcome to the NBA” moment when he squared up against LeBron James on Christmas, only for the Heat star to beat him easily to the basket.

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“It was a pretty easy challenge for him,” Kelly said. “I have to make it a little tougher.”

But after appearing in three consecutive games, Kelly earned a positive review for his 50 percent shooting, floor spacing and hustle.

“He knows how to play defensively and offensively,” D’Antoni said. “Defensively, he’s the first one to get to the right spot. I think going forward he can keep earning more time.”

The Lakers drafted Kelly with the 48th pick this year and signed him to a non-guaranteed contract. Kelly’s deal becomes guaranteed should he stay on the roster after Jan. 10.

“I put myself in a position for (D’Antoni) to call my name,” Kelly said. “Now I have to go out there and make him trust me to keep me out there.”

Mea culpa

D’Antoni has continued his efforts to apologize in a self-deprecating manner for his recent comments that fans discouraged with the Lakers’ play should root for another team.

When asked what he received for Christmas, D’Antoni said, “I didn’t get anything yesterday. For opening my mouth, I got a lump of coal. But I’m from West Virgina, so that’s a good thing.”